Abroad101: Study Abroad Reviews

Once In A Lifetime Opportunity Past Review

By (Texas Lutheran University) - abroad from 02/18/2016 to 07/02/2016 with

IFSA: Sydney - Macquarie University

What did you gain/learn from your experience abroad? Was it worthwhile?
While I was abroad, I really learned that I can be a lot more independent that I originally thought I was. I learned that great things truly can happen when you step outside of your comfort zone.

Personal Information

How much international exposure did you have prior to this program? None

Review Your Program

* Overall educational experience

Academic rigor, intensity, resources, etc.

* Host Country Program Administration

On-site administration of your program

* Housing:

How satisfied were you with your living arrangements?

* Food:

* Social & Cultural Integration:

How integrated did you feel with the local culture?

* Health Care:

How well were health issues addressed during the program?

While I was abroad, I developed an ear infection and needed to go a clinic to see a doctor. We had a clinic on the Macquarie University campus and my IFSA-Butler program advisor was very kinf in helping me get my insurance information situated. The doctor at the clinic prescribed me the same medication that my doctor here at home has prescribed for previous infections that I've had so I felt very comfortable taking the medication. Overall, it was a pleasant experience with the Australian public healthcare system.

* Safety:

If you could do it all over again would you choose the same program? Yes

I would, without a doubt, definitely study in Sydney again. I would even use the same program, perhaps I would study at a different university

Finances

* Money: How easily were you able to live on a student's budget?

(1 = not very easy/$200+ on food & personal expenses/week, 2.5 = $100/week, 5 = very easily/minimal cost)

Not including program expenses, about how much money did you spend on food and other expenses each week? $100
Do you have any general money-saving tips for future study abroad participants? To future study abroad students, I would say that if they need to cater their own food, they need to sit down and plan out their meals each week. It may sound tedious and unnecessary, but it definitely helps. I would also say that it's very tempting to go out to dinner every night because it's convient, but really try and stray away from dining out.

Language

* Did your program have a foreign language component? No

Other Program Information

* Where did you live?

Select all that apply

  • Apartment
* Who did you live with?

Select all that apply

  • Local Students
  • Americans
  • International Students
* Who did you take classes with?

Select all that apply

  • Local Students
  • Americans
  • International Students
About how many local friends did you make that you will likely keep in touch with?

A Look Back

* What did you like most about the program?
  • Location
  • Locals/Friends made
  • Traveling that I did
* What could be improved?
  • Macquarie Uni. housing
  • Preparing students about budgeting
* What do you know now that you wish you knew before going on this program? I wish I would have taken money and budgeting more seriously.

Reasons For Studying Abroad

To help future students find programs attended by like-minded individuals, please choose the profile that most closely represents you.
The Outright Urbanite
A social butterfly, you're happiest in bustling cities with hip people, and took advantage of all it had to offer. You enjoyed the nightlife, and had fun going out dancing, and socializing with friends. Fun-loving and dressed to the nines, you enjoyed discovering new restaurants, shops, cafes, and bars in your host country.